TV Detective Derrick Animates Theatres

Mainz, Germany-based ZDF Enterprises is planning to re-invent the popular TV detective DERRICK as an animated feature film. Last year DERRICK finished its unprecedented 24-year run on German television and 100 plus other territories worldwide. The theatrical release is being produced by ZDF, Ireland-based Magma Film and Hamburg-based neue deutsche Filmgesellschaft (ndF). The producers on the project are ndF's Matthias Walther, Magma Film's Ralph Christians and ZDF's senior VP of North American operations, Horst Muller. The trio have been developing the project for the last two years. Actors Horst Tappert and Fritz Weppert will reprise their roles as the voices of sluething sidekicks Stefan Derrick and Harry Klein. "We are delighted to be bringing an animated feature film of DERRICK to the big screen," said ZDF president, Alexander Coridass. "It has been such a popular series and a great success, and what a better way to celebrate the closure of a fantastic run than with something a little bit light-hearted. Who knows, perhaps DERRICK will achieve cult status." The new adventure will put the crook-capturing comrades on a case to nab the killer of a fine-looking fräulein. The release date is tentatively set for the end of 2001.